Valentino, who has lived on the city's East Side all his life, said the three were outside his home preparing to go to the gun range, when he spotted Williams going into the store.

"I knew we had to take action, we couldn't wait and we took him down," Valentino said.

The marshals took the man to the ground and handcuffed him.

Police said Williams tried to steal four packs of cigarettes.

Valentino said his son later asked him what he would have done had Williams a gun. "I really didn't think about it at the time," he said. "I grew up in this neighborhood and I feel I have to protect it, I'm especially not going to let guys beat up on women."